BJP defends Sadananda Gowda's remarks

Hubli, July 14 (UNI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Karnataka Spokesman Prahlad Joshi, MP, today defended the statement of party State President D V Sadananda Gowda that transfer of Bellary Superintendent of Police was a mistake, but refused to comment on the allegation of party MLC Janardhan Reddy that the Chief Minister had taken Rs 150 crore bribe from the mining lobby.

Addressing a press conference here, he said Mr Reddy should have brought up the issue in the appropriate forum, instead of going to the media. ''Now, he has gone to the party central leadership and I have nothing to say on the issue,'' he added.

Mr Joshi said he was happy that at last the joint survey of Hubli-Ankola rail line by railway authorities and State Forest department had been completed, besides physical marking. After the formalities of Cabinet approval, the project might take off in a month's time, he added.

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